Royal Malaysian Air Force Opens Sukhoi Technical Service Centre in Gong Kedak

KUALA LUMPUR, -- The Royal Malaysian Air Force today unveiled a new multi-million ringgit technical service centre aimed at providing a comprehensive maintenance for the country's foremost jet fighters, the Sukhoi Su-30MKM, at the Gong Kedak air base.

RMAF chief Gen Tan Sri Roslan Saad said the facility would serve as a 'second line for servicing' to complement the existing services provided by privateer ATSC Sdn Bhd at the base's 11th Squadron hangar.

He said the new facility was undertaken by Setiajaya Sdn Bhd from March 24, 2014 and completed yesterday (Dec 6). The centre will operate through collaboration with the Public Works Department.

"This new facility will be fully equipped with the necessary logistics, spares and equipment to provide a comprehensive and effective servicing and maintenance for the Sukhois.

"Before this, we were relying on the services provided by ATSC," he said after unveiling the new facility at the Gong Kedak air base.

On another note, Roslan revealed that the air traffic control radar at the Butterworth base would be upgraded for a year from January, to meet with the advancement of technology.

This, he said, followed a similar successful upgrade at the Gong Kedak air base by Jetro Sdn Bhd which equipped it with the ASR Meteor 087 type.

"We hope these developments will spur the local defence industries to play a greater role in maintaining the sovereignty of the country's defence and security," said Roslan.

The service technical centre (STC) for the maintenance and repair of Sukhoi aircraft at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base at Gong Kedak, here can boost the national defence industry.